EC adopts SAA proposal for Kosovo based on Taiwan model

BRUSSELS - The European Commission (EC) Thursday adopted the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) proposal for Kosovo and sent it to the Council for consideration, but it still not mean that Kosovo could soon become a candidate for membership of the European Union, Tanjug learned in Brussels.

The EC said on its website that it was now "up to the EU Council and the European Parliament to agree before it can enter into force in 2016," and it is noted in the text of the agreement that it is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

Since five EU member-states do not recognize Kosovo as an independent state, the EC implemented the model of agreements the EU has with entities that are not universally recognized, such as Taiwan.

This practically means that the SAA with Kosovo, after it is adopted by the Council and the European Parliament, will not be signed by the EU member-states as was the case with Serbia and other membership candidates, but rather by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.

Kosovo, like the rest of the Western Balkans, has a clear European perspective, but no legal way has been found so far to make it officially an EU membership candidate, a European Union official told Tanjug on condition of anonymity.

Photo/Video TANJUG